Do you know what Tear Dr0p Ransomware is?
Tear Dr0p Ransomware seems to be a threat that encrypts user’s files, but as it claims itself “this isn't one of those “pay to unlock" ransomware.” No doubt, we find it rather strange since most of the ransomware applications we encounter are usually created for money extortion. However, according to this malware’s message the user can encrypt files by just guessing the right pattern. On the other hand, the versions we have tested so far did not encrypt any data even though their displayed messages claimed otherwise. Therefore, until Tear Dr0p Ransomware gets updated those who receive it might not lose any files or have to play the infection’s presented game to unlock them. In which case, we recommend using the removal guide located at the end of this text or a reputable antimalware tool to eliminate this malicious application. As for more details about it, you should continue reading our report.
The malware in question could be distributed via various sources. For instance, Tear Dr0p Ransomware might come bundled with other malicious software, or it could be sent to the victim via email. Consequently, to keep the system protected from threats alike our computer security specialists recommend staying away from web pages that might contain malicious data. What’s more, it is essential to be cautious with emails from unknown senders, especially if they carry suspicious documents. Unfortunately, the malware’s launcher could look completely harmless, e.g., it may look like a picture, a text document, an update, and so on. Also, keep it in mind the next time you come across such infection it may actually encrypt your data and ask for a ransom. Thus, if you have precious files on the device, it would be best to be cautious.
Normally, a ransomware application would settle in and then begin the encryption process, but for now, Tear Dr0p Ransomware does only one of these things. Apparently, the threat should place a malicious executable file called Tear Dr0p.exe in the %APPDATA% directory. It seems it opens the infection’s window showing a message from its creators. To be more accurate, it says the malware encrypted all user’s personal data with the AES-256 encryption algorithm. Then it explains the user does not have to pay to get his data back. Instead, the hackers suggest playing the threat’s prepared game where you have to guess a pattern and earn enough points to decrypt all files. The other way is to “crack the program and find the decryption key!” Nonetheless, as we said earlier, at the moment, the samples we encountered were unable to lock any files, which means there is no need to choose any of the suggested options. Instead, our computer security specialists advise eliminating Tear Dr0p Ransomware at once.
Tear Dr0p Ransomware screenshot
Scroll down for full removal instructions
Those who would like to get rid of the malicious application manually could follow the removal guide available at the end of this paragraph. It will show how to locate and delete all data associated with Tear Dr0p Ransomware on your own. The other way to erase the malware is to employ a reputable antimalware tool and perform a full system scan. If you feel up to such a task, just pick and install a tool of your choice and set it to scan the system. Then press the given removal button, and the infection should be deleted at once.
Get rid of Tear Dr0p Ransomware
- Click Ctrl+Alt+Delete simultaneously.
- Pick Task Manager.
- Take a look at the Processes tab.
- Locate a process related to the malicious application.
- Select this process and press the End Task button.
- Click Windows Key+E.
- Navigate to the suggested paths:
%TEMP%
%USERPROFILE%Desktop
%USERPROFILE%Downloads - Find a file that was launched when the system got infected.
- Right-click the malicious file and select Delete.
- Go to %APPDATA% and look for a file called Tear Dr0p.exe.
- Right-click this file and press Delete too.
- Leave File Explorer.
- Restart the computer.
In non-techie terms:
Tear Dr0p Ransomware is a malicious application that might encrypt your files if it gets updated as at the moment of writing it cannot encipher anything. What’s even stranger is the malware may show a message claiming it enciphered user’s data and the user has to guess a specific pattern or get the decryption key from the infection’s code himself if he wishes to decrypt any files. Luckily, our computer security specialists have not encountered a version of it that could lock user’s data, and so if you encountered this threat, you should take a closer look at your files first before doing anything. If they seem to be unaffected, we recommend erasing the malware at once. On the other hand, if the malicious application gets updated and it becomes capable of locking files, you could try to guess the right pattern and get your files back before erasing the infection. To delete it manually, users could use the removal guide available a bit above this paragraph.